Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has been remanded in custody following allegations of defaming prominent legal figure Chief Afe Babalola, SAN.
Farotimi, arrested in Lagos on Tuesday and transferred to Ekiti State, appeared before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate Court on Wednesday.
He is accused of making defamatory claims in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, alleging that Afe Babalola influenced the Supreme Court to secure fraudulent judgments for his clients.
The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to the 16 charges, has been ordered to remain in custody at the Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre until December 10, when his bail application will be heard.
The prosecution, led by Samson Otsubu, opposed an oral bail request, citing ongoing investigations and the need to apprehend other alleged co-conspirators.
Additionally, the circulation of the controversial book remains a concern.
Defense counsel Peter Akeredolu, alongside three other lawyers, argued for bail on the grounds that the charges are bailable and Farotimi is presumed innocent under the law.
Akeredolu emphasized Farotimi’s status as a 25-year legal practitioner and his health challenges, urging the court to grant bail on self-recognizance.
However, Chief Magistrate Abayomi Adeosun denied the bail application, stating insufficient evidence to exercise discretion, and adjourned the case.
The development has drawn criticism from human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.
In a Twitter post, Sowore condemned the legal proceedings as a calculated effort to suppress dissent, describing the Nigerian justice system as flawed and calling for systemic reform under the hashtag #RevolutionNow.